Arthritis in Horses
  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

Arthritis is often a misunderstood term. Arthritis simply means "inflammation in the joint". But the cause and the course of the inflammation and even which part of the joint is inflamed differs from case to case. Arthritis can be an acute reversible situation such as you might see in blunt trauma to a joint or a chronic progressive disease which cannot be cured. It may involve just the surrounding soft tissue like the joint capsule or collateral ligaments or all the tissues including the cartilage that lines the bones that make up the joint. The cause of the inflammation can be trauma, infection, abnormal growth of the cartilage, or reactions to medications.

What most equestrians mean when they use the word arthritis is the chronic progressive form so often seen in the joints of horses. This form of arthritis is called osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease (DJD) and includes the diseases of bone spavin and ringbone. DJD is an appropriate term because once it begins the degeneration is progressive. Though progressive and a cure beyond our capabilities at this time, many horses with DJD can still perform at some level with appropriate management and therapy. This article discusses how DJD starts, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of osteoarthritis or DJD in horses. Links are provided to articles on specific forms of arthritis and therapies used in the treatment of arthritis.

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